Editor,

In partial response to your Sept. 13 editorial on the Park and Recreation District, one must ask what help are you giving to build support for our community?

The commission was faced with the challenge of replacing one commissioner. It advertised the position and planned to fill it from the applicants at its meeting on Thursday, Aug. 28.

At that meeting, a second commissioner announced he would be resigning to take a job off-island. Since applications were already solicited for a commission position, the commissioners moved to fill both seats from the applicant pool.

The only error committed was that it is illegal to fill a position before it is vacated.

Because the commissioner for the second position resigned effective midnight after the meeting, the vote to fill that position effective the next day was ultra vires.

The commission will address the appointment to the second position during its regular meeting, set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 at the pool.

We need community support to rebuild our district after the divisiveness that started three years ago with the firing of a popular swim coach. Your article reopened old wounds from that time. To set the record straight, the commission sent Vikki Robinson a letter at the conclusion of that controversy, which included the following statements:

“Vikki Robinson was a valued employee who did very good work for the district, and the district thanks Vikki Robinson for her years of service. The district does not contend that Vikki Robinson engaged in any misconduct while employed with the district.”

The commission is committed to bringing all sides of the community together to rebuild our park and recreation district. That effort, of which you are so critical, seems preferable to building divisiveness. Please feel free to help. We welcome it.

Allan K. McDougall, chairman

North Whidbey Park and Recreation District